Help for first time

[mlwear]

Please help...any advice is very much appreciated. Haven't been to Disney for 12 years and that was on my honeymoon and we just WENT. This is the first time I have really planned. Actually, I started planning a Disney vacation a couple of years ago and threw in the towel as it was so much work. This year I am determined. My kids are counting on it. Still, so many choices to make and so much planning ahead. Currently AAA has on hold for me 7 days/six nights nights at the Polynesian CL in mid August. (timing is probably bad, but the only time our schedule permits). I have been researching but can't really get answers that I feel are solid. If you have comments on any of the below, I am very grateful.
1. Is the Polynesian a good choice. We are very interested in getting around easily. I have two boys 7 and 10. Would you recommend a different resort? Is CL worth the extra $--will we really get better service?
2. Premium Package-- I also have this on hold, but think I may switch to just park hopper. Has anyone found this to be worth the money? Do you end up paying for way more than you would do/eat without it. We like to eat at nicer restaurants and the recreation and tours looks nice, but we need time for the parks, too. Hard to get itemized costs at Disney to compare.
3. Time at Disney -- six nights? a good amount of time or will we get tired of it and should go for five nights? Not planning to do much if anything else in Orlando.
4. A bit off topic, my youngest son has high to moderate functioning autism. Is Disney good with accomodating such disabilities? I read that they did away with the disability services in the park for autism as it was being abused by those without a diagnosis. Won't even accept medical documentation. Will restaurants be good to seat us on the sides at our request rather than in the middle of everything? Will the childcare facilites (e.g. Neverland, etc) be accepting? He is potty trained. Does anyone have a source of information regarding disabilities. Wheelchairs are rather obvious, autism is less so.
Thank you so much for any help you can provide.

 

[sistertrip]

Here are some of my thoughts:

1. I've never stayed at the Polynesian, but I've been to it for dinner's and it is a beautiful resort. At the next price level down, Coronado Springs is where I've stayed, and I've loved it. The service was wonderful, and I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything by not staying at a "deluxe" resort.
2. Not sure what you mean by premium package. If you mean having your tickets be park hopper premium, then it includes DisneyQuest (the "indoor theme-park") and the water parks. If you mean adding the Disney Dining Plan, I'm not exactly sure how that works. It might make sense to save money on the hotel by staying at a "moderate" and paying the extra for the premium plan. (This is what I did for my first stay at a Disney Resort, but the packages were set up a little differently)
3. 6 nights is, in my opinion, definitely not too much. I've always gone for 7 nights, my upcoming trip is 9, and I've never had "too much Disney" on a trip...not sure there is a such thing.
4. I don't have any personal experience with Disney & autism, but this site should help: http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/dis_aut.htm

Hope this helps!

 

[sistertrip]

P.S. My August trip in 2003 was WONDERFUL. The crowds weren't too bad, and the heat was quite bearable.

 

[mlwear]

Thank you SO much for that helpful site.

 

[Eeyore2003]

I glanced over that site. I don't really need the info, but was interested. I think they gave you more ideas on taking care of your child than I could, and I think the Poly sounds perfect for you really.

We usually always went with our children in mid to late August and had wonderful times. And the suggestion of afternoon break time goes for ANY child, which includes your other son. I think they need to get away from the "busy-ness" of the parks and just chill out in the room or by the pool for a couple hours. Works wonders.

I'm not sure about the meal plans. We usually plan two sit down meals a day and have snacks in the room. When the kids were little and we hit the parks early with allot of people to get ready, I always brought my toaster, bread, jam, cereal, milk and paper plates and bowls. Saved allot of money to eliminate the meal out. When we do a breakfast character brunch, then I usually have an early dinner scheduled, and snacks in the room for later.

I think that article answered allot of your questions and you have to decide then how many meals you'd like to eat out, counter or sit-down, and then figure if you'll make use of the plan or not and if it will save you money. On the same site as the article, look under "Dining" and she shows the prices and menus of the restaurants. This gives you a very good idea of what you could expect to pay.

 

[TJA]

double-post, sorry.

 

[TJA]

Hi, I can touch on a couple of your questions. Yes, I think Poly is a wonderful choice. We just stayed there 5 months ago. You have the TTC right at the Poly for a direct monorail to Epcot. Then, of course, you have a direct monorail to MK also. There is also a boat that goes to MK from Poly. You will have great restaurants to choose from right at the Poly -- O'hana and Kona. You can do a character breakfast at O'hana and then there is entertainment and fun for the kids during dinner at O'hana. You can also enjoy watching Wishes from the beach at Poly -- it's a spectacular show!

No, I do not think 6 nights is too long to stay. It is nice to be able to relax and spend time at the resort pools and know that there is also plenty of time for the parks. It's a nice feeling to not be rushed or on a schedule.

Happy planning!